Policy

Introduction

Development cooperation is an essential means of promoting and developing international solidarity, of putting a human face on the impacts of economic globalization.

Through relationship building at the institutional level, relationships among people as individuals and as representatives of education unions, both North – South and South – South, become a reality.

Such working together not only achieves specific goals such as capacity building but also provides mutual benefit and learning to both or all partners engaged in a development cooperation initiative or project.

The essential objective of development cooperation in the education sector is to enable education unions to grow so they become active and powerful partners in the social dialogue and public policy setting in their respective countries, especially as it relates to quality education for all. A further objective is to enable them to function as independent, autonomous and democratic trade unions, to effectively represent, defend and promote the interests of their members within the framework of modern education systems and socially just, democratic and peaceful societies. At a time when the enormous wealth generated by globalization is spread unequally both among and within countries in the developing world, when the achievement of the millennium development goals (MDGs) in 2015 appears to be a formidable challenge, joint efforts through development cooperation are enormously important and hopeful. The statutes of EI set forth the objectives, and it is within this context that development cooperation is implemented, in order to build bridges and networks and to strengthen the trade union movement in the education sector.

Policy

Development Cooperation contributes to the overall objectives of EI which include the following: to further the cause of organisations of teachers and education employees; to promote for all peoples and in all nations peace, democracy, social justice and equality; to promote the right to education for all persons in the world; to combat all forms of racism and of bias or discrimination in education and society; to build solidarity and mutual cooperation among member organisations and to promote unity among all independent and democratic trade unions.

Development cooperation has been at the heart of Education International since its foundation in 1993. Its concept has since then been defined and shaped by the following resolutions adopted at EI’s World Congresses:

1995 – EI Development Cooperation
1998 – EI Development Cooperation
2001 – Gender Perspective in Development Cooperation
2001 – Solidarity with teachers affected by the earthquake in South Peru

The Policy Declaration For a Transparent and Constructive Partnership, adopted by the EI Executive Board in 1997, provides the main guidelines of EI policy in the field of development cooperation. It is the product of numerous discussions over the years with the partners involved: the host and cooperating organisations engaged in specific and regular activities. It will be further updated in late 2007 following the annual Development Cooperation meeting. For the complete paper, click here. In addition, discussion and joint efforts continue with the Global Union Federations through the Council of Global Unions, formed in January 2007.

Development co-operation is further defined through the following concepts:

Independence: must be central to the planning and carrying out of any Development cooperation work;
Democracy: development cooperation should strengthen the democratisation of teacher trade unions;
Autonomy: of the host organisations should be increased in order to strengthen, in the medium term, their capacity to assume responsibility for all aspects of the normal life of a teacher trade union;
Equity: is a cross-cutting issue and as such should be present in all Development cooperation endeavours;
Sustainable Development: means enabling host organisations to continue to progress or to retain an adequate level of activities once the international cooperation has come to an end and must be included in planning;
Long Term Process: development cooperation is a long-term process which demands from all partners a commitment in time, resources, effort, and problem-solving;
Two-Way Exchanges: should enrich all parties concerned and strengthen international solidarity;
Continuity: can be achieved through involving members in awareness-raising activities, financial support, resource person trainings, and building links with the host organization;
Partnership: means building a relationship based on mutual respect, trust, reliance and independence.

Development co-operation should therefore be based on three main principles:

Transparency through the reciprocal and unlimited exchange of information.
Effectiveness through the appropriate use of the financial and human resources agreed on by the partners in the project.
Clarity through the need for constant monitoring of the programme, problem-solving, and regular evaluation to measure the progress made in its implementation.

At the EI World Congress in 1998 it was decided to provide financial support for development cooperation activities with member organisation in developing countries from the EI Solidarity Fund. The decision of the EI Congress opened the way for the fund to be not only reactive to emergency situations but also proactive by cooperating with teacher organisations in developing countries and countries in transition. Each year, EI allocates 0.7 % of its annual income to the Solidarity Fund.

Role of EI

In this transparent and constructive partnership, EI acts primarily as a coordinator. EI also plays a role as a facilitator, convener, clearing-house, problem-solver, mediator and go between. In many cases EI functions as well as Finance office to coordinate the financial aspects of development cooperation activities. EI encourages the parties concerned to take the general interest into account and to promote activities corresponding to the objectives and decisions of the EI Congress.

As a coordinator, EI has the responsibility to collect and disseminate information on current development co-operation aims, programs and activities around the globe, to assist the regional offices and cooperating partners of EI in coordination; and to propose future activities in response to identified trends and needs. In this transparent and constructive partnership, EI offers its expertise in planning, implementing and evaluating projects and formulating technical proposals when required. EI is thus an active member of any partnership.

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